India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
